Lesson summary
In this lesson, students will investigate the UN Convention On The Rights Of The Child (UNCRC) and to the extent to which Australia is involved in the convention. They will come up with three questions to find out more about the UNCRC then work in groups to research one question and share what they have discovered with the class. They will work independently to read through a simplified version of the UNCRC and identify examples of specific articles of the convention in action in the Australian context. Students will then watch a clip from the documentary film Life After The Oasis and evaluate whether Darren was afforded the rights described in the UNCRC. Students will reflect on their learning by responding in writing to a reflection prompt.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- understand that there are systems such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in place to protect children
- understand that the Australian government has a responsibility to ensure that children in Australian society are afforded their rights in accordance with the UNCRC
Success criteria:
Students can...
- describe the responsibilities the Australian government has as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- describe examples of what the UNCRC looks like in the Australian context
- critically evaluate the experiences of a person and whether they were afforded their rights when they were a child
Lesson guides and printables
Curriculum links
Select your curriculum from the options below.
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian curriculum content descriptions:
Year 10 Civics and Citizenship:
- How Australia’s international legal obligations shape Australian law and government policies, including in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (ACHCK093)
- Critically evaluate information and ideas from a range of sources in relation to civics and citizenship topics and issues (ACHCS097)
General capabilities: Literacy, Ethical Understanding, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and social capability
Relevant parts of Year 10 achievement standards: Students compare and evaluate the key features and values of systems of government, and analyse the Australian Government’s global roles and responsibilities. Students evaluate a range of factors that sustain democratic societies. They account for and evaluate different interpretations and points of view on civics and citizenship issues. They use appropriate texts, subject-specific language and concepts. They evaluate ways they can be active and informed citizens in different contexts.
Unit of work: Life After The Oasis – Civics & Citizenship
Time required: 80 mins
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion
Resources required
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student
- Device capable of presenting a video to the class
- Handling Sensitive Topics And Controversial Issues Factsheet (optional)
- UNICEF’s Simplified Version Of The UNCRC – one per student
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Empathy
- Social skills
Additional info
This resource has been adapted from ‘Teaching Social Issues Through English’ developed with the English Teachers Association NSW and the ‘Youth Homelessness Matters Resource’ developed by Janice Atkin. You can find these resources here.
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